Chapter 223 Settling in the Village
Chapter 223 Settling in the Village
The group walked for a long time on the snow-covered road. The mountain road was flat, and the wheels of the car rustled on the snow. The closer they got to Chunyang City, the stronger the wind and snow became.
"We're here. Let's stay here tonight." Uncle Wang drove ahead and finally found this dilapidated village when it got dark.
It looked like no one had lived there for a long time. There were only a few houses with roofs left, and most of them had almost collapsed.
"Come, come, this house is still habitable." After looking for a long time, Uncle Liu finally found a house with a roof that was habitable.
"Mother, when can we reach Chunyang City?" Feng Juexiao had been nestling in his mother's arms, not making any noise along the way, but now he couldn't help but ask.
"It's snowing hard now. I'm afraid the road will be difficult to travel on. It will take about two or three days." Lin Suxiang got out of the car holding her child and entered a large room, which should be the main house, and then began to clean up.
Xu Yuan moved the firewood into the main house, found a suitable location, and started a fire, while the others spread mats around it.
"It's terrible. The snow outside is getting heavier! I wonder what the situation will be like tomorrow morning?" Li Junyong carried a piece of broken wood into the house and shook off the snowflakes falling on his body.
"This kind of snow usually doesn't last long. It should stop tomorrow." Village Chief Gu came in carrying an iron pot filled with snow, and then placed the pot on a simple stove rack.
The firewood was burning vigorously, and the temperature in the house gradually rose. It was no longer as cold as when we first came in. After a simple meal, everyone lay down on the prepared bedding.
Village Chief Gu and Chen Dafu were sitting in front of the fire. They would be on guard for the first half of the night.
"I don't know what's going on at home. It feels like we haven't been together for quite a while." Chen Dafu said softly, looking at the snowflakes flying outside the house.
Village Chief Gu glanced at the person sitting next to him and said, "We have only been out for a few days, and we are homesick so soon."
"Tsk, I feel like after leaving Hsinchu Village, everything outside is not suitable for me. I'm still more suitable to stay in the mountains."
Village Chief Gu sighed: "Alas, this feeling is the same as when we were in Qingshan Village. Who would have thought that we have come so far. If nothing unexpected happens, I feel like I will spend my retirement in Hsinchu Village for the rest of my life."
Chen Dafu asked in return: "If you have the chance in the future, will you go back to Qingshan Village to have a look?"
"Who knows? Besides, it's not easy to go back."
The two chatted in low voices about family matters as the firewood crackled. Fatigued by the day's journey, everyone soon fell asleep, and the sound of deep sleep soon began to sound.
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"What should I do? There is no village or shop in the middle of nowhere."
"Suniang, don't worry. I just drank the medicine. It won't work so quickly."
While half asleep, Xu Yuan heard some noises nearby and the sound of a child groaning in pain.
He immediately opened his eyes and sat up.
"Xuyuan, why did you get up? Did we wake you up?" Feng Xing felt a little apologetic when he saw Xuyuan got up and walked towards him.
"No, Uncle Feng, Aunt Su, what happened to Juexiao?"
Feng Xing took the gauze wrapped in white snow and applied it to Feng Juexiao's forehead. "Don't worry, it's just a cold. I have a little fever. I just took some medicine."
Feng Juesheng came in with a new gauze wrapper and replaced the one on his forehead.
Looking towards the fire, Village Chief Gu and Chen Dafu had already gone to bed. At this time, Gu Qinghan was putting firewood beside the fire. He turned back inadvertently and met Xu Yuan's eyes.
Xu Yuan only glanced at him, shifted his gaze, squatted down and touched Feng Juexiao's forehead, which was still a little hot. He stood up and returned to his own bed, flipped through his cloth bag, and then took out a medicine bag and gave it to Feng Xing.
"Uncle Feng, this is the medicine package I brought. If the fever on Juexiao's forehead hasn't subsided yet, cook this medicine for him to drink."
"Okay, thank you." Feng Xing gratefully took the medicine bag handed over by Xu Yuan.
Xuyuan nodded, then went back to his bedding and lay down.
"Juesheng, don't stay here. Go to the fire and warm your hands. Your hands are frozen red." Lin Suxiang whispered softly and pushed Feng Juesheng.
"Mom, why don't you go to sleep, Dad and I will take care of you."
"No, I'm worried about Juexiao, why don't you go and have a rest."
Feng Juesheng was unable to persuade his mother, so he had to sit back by the fire.
"How is Juexiao?" Seeing Feng Juesheng coming back, Gu Qinghan asked with concern.
"It's okay, let's check the situation later."
Gu Qinghan suggested: "Well, I'll watch here, and you go get some sleep. After all, you have to leave one person to drive the car tomorrow. If no one in your family rests, will you have the energy to drive tomorrow?"
Feng Juesheng felt that what Gu Qinghan said made sense, and nodded, "Thank you for your help then."
Gu Qinghan stood up and went to Feng Xing's place, "Uncle Feng, Aunt Su, is there anything I can help you with?"
Feng Xing waved his hand: "No need, the fever on Juexiao's forehead has subsided. Qinghan, why don't you go back to sleep? I'll keep an eye on him."
"Uncle Feng, no need. You stay here to look after Juexiao. I'll go over there to look after the fire." Gu Qinghan turned around and went back to the fire, staring around, then took out a book from his arms and started reading.
Feng Xing shook his head helplessly when he saw this, "Suniang, go to sleep. Someone will have to watch over Juexiao during the day."
"Okay." Lin Suxiang touched Feng Juexiao's forehead, then pulled Feng Juexiao's quilt and fell asleep.
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“Damn the weather!”
The young man in a coarse cotton coat pulled the carriage rope in his hand and looked at the heavy snow that blocked his view, cursing. The gloved hands were useless, the cold wind rushed into his body, his hands and feet were frozen, and he was just relying on instinct to drive the carriage.
"What's going on in front? Speed up!" The pathfinder who was riding a horse and following around the carriage shouted loudly, but in the snowy night, he was drowned out by the sound of the wind.
A team of carriages and horses were traveling quickly on a snowy night, leaving deep ruts on the smooth and flat snow, and the light of the torches gradually faded away.
"Boss, there seems to be a village ahead."
The driver who was driving ahead could vaguely see the house in front by the light of the torch.
"You guys stop here, I'll go and take a look first." The man who was called the boss left a word and rushed towards the man with a torch in hand.
"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" A middle-aged man's voice came from the carriage. He sounded like he had just woken up and was yawning.
"Master, Brother Hui went to explore the road and said there is a village ahead. Let's see if it is true."
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